'White Christmas' star Anne Whitfield dies after accident at age 85

Anne Whitfield, best known for her performance in White Christmas, died Feb. 15 in a Washington hospital from injuries she received walking in her neighborhood, her family reported.

“The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her,” the family wrote.

Whitfield had an extensive career in television, with appearances in Father Knows Best, 77 Sunset Strip, Perry Mason, Ironside, and Emergency!

White Christmas in 1954 was her breakout role as Susan, the granddaughter of Major Gen. Thomas F. Waverly at age 15. She finished high school while juggling acting roles and went on to have a long career after starting at just four years old.

“Just this past December during the holidays, Annie was able to watch White Christmas with her family on the movie’s 70th anniversary,” Whitfield’s obituary read.

After her acting career ended in the 1970s, Whitfield moved to Washington and began a second career as a clean water advocate and activist, a vocation that lasted until her death.